Process for producing dammarane sapogenins and ginsenosides

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a process for producing sapogenins and ginsenosides comprising the steps of mixing a ginsenoside extract with water, mixing the ginsenoside extract and water with an alkali-metal alcoholate solution or a hydroxide-ethanol solution to produce a mixture; or, alternatively, mixing a ginsenoside extract with ethanol, mixing the extract and ethanol with alkali-metal alcoholates solution to produce a mixture. The resultant mixture is placed in a reaction tank so that the resultant mixture can undergo chemical reactions under high temperature and high pressure effective to produce sapogenins therefrom. The temperature of the reaction tank can range between 150-300° C. and the pressure can range between 2.5 to 8.4 MPa. After the reaction is completed, an intermediate product of a mix of ginsenosides and sapogenins from the ethanol mixture is collected and the desired sapogenins and ginsenosides are separated from the intermediate product by silica-gel-column chromatography.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims the benefitof, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/910,887, filed 24 Jul. 24, 2001, andU.S. application Ser. No. 09/982,018, filed 19 Oct. 2001. U.S.application Ser. No. 09/982,018 is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/910,887. The disclosures of both applicationsare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel dammarane sapogenins, their use inanti-cancer applications, and a process of producing dammaranesapogenins and ginsenosides.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION AND RELATED ART

Since the beginning of the last decade, anti-cancer research has beenincreasingly directed to the discovery of novel anti-cancer agentsobtained from natural sources, as well as identifying and preparingsynthetic compounds found in natural sources.

Ginseng saponins (dammarane saponins, also called “ginsenosides”, whichare effective ingredients that organically exist in panax ginseng, panaxquinguefol, panax notoginseng and other species in the ginseng family)and sapogenins (those that do not naturally exist in the ginseng plantor other species in the ginseng family and can be derived only throughchemical structure modification by cleavage and/or semi-synthesis ofdammarane saponins), as natural-source root compounds, have been broadlyresearched for their anti-cancer characteristics. Some of them have beenreported to have anti-cancer effects, of which, for example, ginsenosideRh2 [3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(s)-protopanaxadiol] has been reported forits anti-cancer activities [1], including induction of differentiationand apoptosis in cancer cells [5˜11], inhibition of the growth of humanovarian cancer in nude mice after oral administration [9], and theability to inhibit the multiplication of multi-drug resistance (MDR)cancer cells while used with other chemotherapy drugs in vitro [12].

Ginsenoside Rg3[3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20(s)-protopanaxadiol]has been reported to inhibit the invasion by various cancer cells [13]and suppress the proliferation of human prostate cancer cells [14] invitro, and to inhibit lung metastasis in mice [15] and peritonealmetastasis in rats [16].

A metabolite of ginseng saponin produced by human intestinal bacteria,Mc [20-O-[α-L-arabinofuranosyl(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20(s)-protopanaxadiol], has been reported toinhibit the vascularization of tumors and extravasation of cancer cells[17].

While conventional chemotherapy agents directly attack the cancer cellsand exhibit severe adverse side effects, some ginseng saponins andsapogenins, as well as their intestinal bacteria metabolites, have beenreported to have inhibitory effects on cancers by induction ofcancer-cell apoptosis and/or by suppression of vascularization ofcancers with few adverse side effects.

In the case of treatment of cancers with ginseng saponins, it has beenreported that saponins which are metabolized to sapogenins by intestinalbacteria have anti-cancer effects. It has also been reported thatginseng saponins with a hydroxyl at C-20(R), or 20(R) epimers, such as20(R)-Rh2 and 20(R)—Rg3 have much lower biological activities than thosewith a hydroxyl at C-20(S), or 20(S) epimers, such as 20(S)-Rh2 and20(S)—Rg3 respectively. Currently, mixtures of 20(R) and 20(S) epimersare very difficult if not impossible to separate. Thus the mixture haslower efficacy than that of 20(S) epimer. Furthermore, all previouslydiscovered ginsenosides and sapogenins either have sugar moieties atC-3, C-6 or C-20, or have a hydroxyl at C-20, or have both.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a group of novel sapogenins, their use inanti-cancer applications, and to a process for their production. Moreparticularly, this invention pertains to a novel group of dammaranesapogenins, PAM-120, PBM-110 and PBM-100 (the dammarane sapogeninstructure in these three sapogenins is specifically clean of any sugarmoieties (glycons) at any position and a hydroxyl at C-20) and PAN-20and PAN-30 (the dammarane sapogenin structure has sugar moieties(glycons) but is free of hydroxyl at C-20), obtained by chemicalcleavage of dammarane saponins. The invention also includes a novelapplication of the said sapogenins for anti-cancer treatment by usingthem separately or together, and/or jointly with other drugs, as well asto the process of producing these novel sapogenins. Said novel dammaranesapogenins show surprising anti-cancer effect when applied. Inparticular, the novel dammarane sapogenins show unexpected and superioractivity against multi-drug resistant cancers.

The invention is directed to a sapogenin according to the formula:

wherein R1 is H, glc or glc¹⁻² glc, R2 is H or OH, R3 is H or OH; andwhen R1, R2 and R3 are H, there are double bonds at positions 20(21) and24(25); and when R1 is H, R2 is OH and R3 is OH, there are double bondsat positions 20(22) and 25(26); and when R1 is H, R2 is OH and R3 is H,there are double bonds at positions 20(22) and 24(25); and when R1 isglc, R2 is H and R3 is H, there are double bonds at positions 20(21) and24(25); and when R1 is glc¹⁻²glc, R2 is H and R3 is H, there are doublebonds at positions 20(22) and 24(25); and pharmaceutically acceptablecompositions incorporating said sapogenins.

The invention in one embodiment is directed to a sapogenin according tothe formula:

The invention in a second embodiment is directed to a sapogeninaccording to the formula:

The invention in a third embodiment is directed to a sapogenin accordingto the formula:

The invention in a fourth embodiment is directed to a sapogeninaccording to the formula:

The invention is a fifth embodiment is directed to a sapogenin accordingto the formula:

The invention also pertains to the use of a sapogenin according to theformula of the invention in treating cancer cells in a human beingsuffering from cancer, comprising killing cancer cells, inducingapoptosis in cancer cells, or inhibiting multiplication of cancer cells,or any combination thereof. The sapogenins of the invention areparticularly useful in treating drug resistant cancer cells (MDR) in ahuman being suffering from cancer, comprising using the sapogeninseither singly, or in combination with one another, or in combinationwith other chemotherapy agents.

The invention also pertains to a method of treating cancer in humanbeings or other animals suffering from cancer comprising administeringto said human beings or other animals a therapeutically effective amountof a composition comprising one or more of PAM-120, PBM-100, PBM-110,PAN-20 and PAN-30.

The method can comprise a pharmaceutically effective amount of PAM-120,PBM-100, PBM-110, PAN 20 and PAN-30, with or without one or morepharmaceutically acceptable carriers. The active ingredient can beadministered in a dosage of between 5 micrograms to 50 grams per 1 kgbody weight per day. A preferred range is 50 micrograms to 5 grams per 1kg body weight per day. The form of the composition can be selected fromthe group consisting of an orally administrable form, an injectableform, and a topically applicable form.

The orally administrable form can be selected from the group consistingof a tablet, a powder, a suspension, an emulsion, a capsule, a granule,a troche, a pill, a liquid, a spirit, a syrup and a lemonade. Theinjectable form can be selected from the group consisting of a liquid, asuspension and a solution. The topically applicable form can be selectedfrom the group consisting of a drop, a paste, an ointment, a liquid, apowder, a plaster, a suppository, an aerosol, a liniment, a lotion, anenema and an emulsion. The composition can be administered to humanbeings or other animals who are receiving one or more other anti-cancertreatments. The composition can be formulated with one or more otheranti-cancer agents, for additive treatment effects, or synergistictreatment effects on multi-drug resistance cancers or any other cancertype.

The invention also includes the incorporation of the sapogeninsaccording to the invention in foods, health foods, nutritional products,natural products and alternative medicine products.

The invention also pertains to a process of preparing a sapogenin orginsenoside which comprises producing a ginsenoside extract from plantsincluding panax ginseng, panax quinguefol, panax notoginseng, or anyother suitable plant which is a source of ginsenosides and sapogenins,and proceeding according to the following steps:

-   -   (a) (i) mixing the ginsenoside extract with water;        -   (ii) mixing the ginsenoside extract and water with an            alkali-metal alcoholate solution or a hydroxide-ethanol            solution to produce a mixture;            or, alternatively:    -   (b) (i) mixing the ginsenosides extract with ethanol;        -   (ii) mixing the extract and ethanol with alkali-metal            alcoholates solution to produce a mixture;    -   (c) placing the resultant mixture in a reaction tank so that the        resultant mixture can undergo chemical reactions under high        temperature and high pressure effective to produce sapogenins or        ginsenosides;    -   (d) after the reaction is completed, collecting an intermediate        product of a mix of ginsenosides or sapogenins from the ethanol        mixture; and    -   (e) separating the desired sapogenins or ginsenosides from the        intermediate product by silica-gel-column chromatography.

The alkali metal can be potassium or sodium. The hydroxide can be sodiumhydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The alkali-metal alcoholates solutionor the concentration of hydroxide-ethanol solution can be 5˜50% (W/V).The alkali-metal alcoholates can have 1˜5 carbon atoms. The temperatureof the reaction tank can be between 150˜300° C. and the reactionpressure can be between 2.5˜8.4 MPa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention, butwhich should not be construed as restricting the spirit or scope of theinvention in any way:

FIG. 1 illustrates a graph of tumor inhibiting effect of variousginsenosides on B16 cells.

FIG. 2 illustrates a graph of tumor inhibiting effect of variousginsenosides on drug resistant human breast cancer cells MCF7r.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plot of the synergistic effect of PAM-120 withcisplatin on drug resistant human breast cancer cells MCF7r.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of the synergistic effect of PAM-120 withtaxol on drug resistant human breast cancer cells MCF7r.

FIG. 5 illustrates a graph of the therapeutic effect of PAM-120 on mouseintracranial human malignant glioma (U87) model.

FIG. 6 illustrates a graph of the therapeutic effect of PAM-120 on mousesubcutaneous human malignant glioma (U87) model.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of two processes which can be used toobtain the sapogenins according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the following description, specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention.However, the invention may be practiced without these particulars. Inother instances, well known elements have not been shown or described indetail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, ratherthan a restrictive, sense.

This invention relates to a physically obtained group of novel compoundsas follows:

-   -   Dammara-20(21)-diene-3,12-diol (named as PAM-120);    -   Dammara-20(22E)-diene-3,12,24-triol (named as PBM-100);    -   Dammara-20(22E)-diene-3,6,12-triol (named as PBM-110);        -3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-dammara-20(21)-diene-3,12-diol (named as        PAN-20); and    -   3-0-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-dammara-20(22E)-diene-3,12-diol        (named as PAN-30).

The chemical formulae, structures and spectral characteristics of theabove listed novel compounds are shown on the following pages:

Sapogenin PAM-120

Dammara-20(21)-diene-3,12-diol (named as PAM-120)

-   (1) Structural formula:-   (2) Molecular formula: C₃₀H₅₀O₂-   (3) Molecular weight: 442.723-   (4) The ¹H-NMR spectrum (300 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at δ5.28    (1H, br.t), δ5.14 (1H, s), δ4.90 (1H, s), δ1.67 (3H, s), δ1.60 (3H,    s), δ1.23 (3H, s), δ1.06 (3H, s), δ1.03 (3H, s), δ60.95 (3H, s) and    δ0.90 (3H, s).-   (5) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at    δ39.57 (C-1), δ28.31 (C-2), δ78.02 (C-3), δ40.30 (C-4), δ56.46    (C-5), δ18.84 (C-6), δ35.46 (C-7), δ37.53 (C-8), δ51.03 (C-9),    δ39.61 (C-10), δ32.76 (C-11), δ72.51 (C-12), δ48.29 (C-13), δ51.27    (C-14), δ32.68 (C-15), δ27.12 (C-16), δ52.51 (C-17), δ15.91 (C-18),    δ16.61 (C-19), δ155.57 (C-20), δ108.18 (C-21), δ33.91 (C-22), δ30.82    (C-23), δ125.38 (C-24), δ131.24 (C-25), δ25.81 (C-26), δ17.81    (C-27), δ28.73 (C-28), δ16.34 (C-29) and δ17.06 (C-30).    Sapogenin PBM-100    Dammara-20(22E)-diene-3,12,24-triol (named as PBM-100)-   (1) Structural formula:-   (2) Molecular formula: C₃₀H₅₀O₄-   (3) Molecular weight: 474.721-   (4) The ¹H-NMR spectrum (300 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at 65.31    (1H, br.t), δ5.22 (1H, s), δ4.82 (1H, s), δ1.95 (3H, s), δ1.81 (3H,    s), δ1.66 (3H, s), δ1.64 (3H, s), δ1.47 (3H, s), δ1.19 (3H, s),    δ1.06 (3H, s) and δ1.03 (3H, s).-   (5) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at    δ39.48 (C-1), δ27.52 (C-2), δ78.48 (C-3), δ40.42 (C-4), δ61.86    (C-5), δ67.77 (C-6), δ47.69 (C-7), δ41.48 (C-8), δ50.55 (C-9),    δ39.48 (C-10), δ32.02 (C-11), δ72.63 (C-12), δ50.47 (C-13), δ50.73    (C-14), δ32.69 (C-15), δ27.52 (C-16), δ50.92 (C-17), δ17.80 (C-18),    δ17.70 (C-19), δ140.11 (C-20), δ13.23 (C-21), δ124.63 (C-22), δ30.04    (C-23), δ78.00 (C-24), δ149.90 (C-25), δ110.54 (C-26), δ17.80    (C-27), δ28.94 (C-28), δ16.56 (C-29) and δ17.14 (C-30).    Sapogenin PBM-110    Dammara-20(22E)-diene-3,6,12-triol (so named as PBM-110)-   (1) Structural formula:-   (2) Molecular formula: C₃₀H₅₀O₃-   (3) Molecular weight: 458.722-   (4) The ¹H-NMR spectrum (300 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at δ5.31    (1H, br.t), δ5.51 (1H, t, J=7.2 Hz), δ2.01 (3H, s), δ1.85 (3H, s),    δ1.65 (3H, s), δ1.64 (3H, s), δ1.47 (3H, s), δ1.19 (3H, s), δ1.03    (3H, s) and δ1.01 (3H, s).-   (5) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at    δ39.48 (C-1), δ27.52 (C-2), δ78.48 (C-3), δ40.42 (C-4), δ61.86    (C-5), δ67.77 (C-6), δ47.69 (C-7), δ41.48 (C-8), δ50.55 (C-9),    δ39.48 (C-10), δ32.02 (C-11), δ72.63 (C-12), δ50.47 (C-13), δ50.73    (C-14), δ32.69 (C-15), δ27.52 (C-16), δ50.92 (C-17), δ17.80 (C-18),    δ17.70 (C-19), δ140.11 (C-20), δ13.23 (C-21), δ124.63 (C-22), δ30.04    (C-23), δ124.63 (C-24), δ131.33 (C-25), δ25.76 (C-26), δ17.50    (C-27), δ28.94 (C-28), δ16.56 (C-29) and δ17.14 (C-30).    Sapogenin PAN-20    3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-dammara-20(21)-diene-3,12-diol (named as    PAN-20)-   (1) Structural formula:-   (2) Molecular formula: C₃₆H₆₀O₇-   (3) Molecular weight: 604.863-   (4) The ¹H-NMR spectrum (300 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at δ4.92    (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz), δ5.29 (1H, br.t), δ5.14 (1H, s), δ4.90 (1H, s),    δ1.66 (3H, s), δ1.60 (3H, s), δ1.30 (3H, s), δ1.02 (3H, s), δ0.98    (3H, s), δ0.98 (3H, s) and δ0.81 (3H, s).-   (5) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C₅D₅N) for aglycon moiety has    shown signals at δ39.34 (C-1), δ27.13 (C-2), δ88.82 (C-3), δ40.26    (C-4), δ56.47 (C-5), δ18.52 (C-6), δ35.40 (C-7), δ37.12 (C-8),    δ50.91 (C-9), δ39.74 (C-10), δ32.73 (C-11), δ 72.47 (C-12), δ48.30    (C-13), δ51.26 (C-14), δ32.74 (C-15), δ26.78 (C-16), δ52.52 (C-17),    δ15.86 (C-18), δ16.52 (C-19), δ155.58 (C-20), δ108.19 (C-21), δ33.91    (C-22), δ30.82 (C-23), δ125.39 (C-24), δ131.25 (C-25), δ25.81    (C-26), δ17.81 (C-27), δ28.73 (C-28), δ16.83 (C-29) and δ17.05    (C-30). The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C5D5N) for 3-glucopyranosyl    has shown signals at δ107.00 (C-1″), δ75.82 (C-2″), δ78.79 (C-3″),    671.94 (C-4″), δ78.39 (C-5″) and δ63.14 (C-6″).    Sapogenin PAN-30    3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-dammara-20(22E)-diene-3,12-diol    (named as PAN-30)-   (1) Structural formula:-   (2) Molecular formula: C₄₂H₇₀O₁₂-   (3) Molecular weight: 766.587-   (4) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C5D5N) has shown signals at    δ39.17 (C-1), δ28.00 (C-2), δ88.82 (C-3), δ40.14 (C4), δ56.29 (C-5),    δ18.33 (C-6), δ35.24 (C-7), δ39.60 (C-8), δ50.66 (C-9), δ36.91    (C-10), δ32.10 (C—I 1), δ72.49 (C-12), δ50.33 (C-13), δ50.91 (C-14),    δ32.54 (C-15), δ26.64 (C-16), δ50.80 (C-17), δ16.35 (C-18), δ16.49    (C-19), δ140.06 (C-20), δ13.07 (C-21), δ123.21 (C-22), δ27.35    (C-23), δ123.54 (C-24), δ131.16 (C-25), δ25.60 (C-26), δ17.66    (C-27), δ28.73 (C-28), δ15.72 (C-29) and δ16.92 (C-30).

The inventors herein have discovered that the dammarane sapogeninstructure that is modified to be specifically clean of any sugarmoieties (glycons) at any position and free of hydroxyl at C-20 hassurprisingly improved effectiveness in treating cancers, particularly intreating multi-drug resistant cancers, compared to sapogenins that havesugar moieties on the structure or a hydroxyl at C-20 The inventors haveunexpectedly found that PAM-120, PBM-110 and PBM-100, which all fallinto this chemical category, have greater anti-cancer effect than otherknown saponins and sapogenins. In particular, these three sapogenins,and especially PAM-120, show surprisingly effective activity in thetreatment of multi-drug resistant cancers.

The inventors have also surprisingly and unexpectedly found that adammarane sapogenin structure which is free of a hydroxyl at C-20, eventhough there may be a sugar moiety on the structure, demonstrateseffective anti-cancer activity, particularly in the treatment ofmulti-drug resistant cancers. PAN-20 and PAN-30, according to thisinvention, fall into this latter category.

While the inventors do not wish to be bound by any adverse theories ifproved to be unfounded, the inventors offer the following as an aid inunderstanding the invention. It seems that sapogenins that have nohydroxyl at C-20 compared to sapogenins that have a hydroxyl at C-20 aresurprisingly effective in cancer treatment. It also seems that asapogenin that does not have a sugar moiety (glycon) on the sapogeninstructure, is more effective than sapogenins that include a sugarmoiety. It also seems that the diol is more effective than the triol.None of this could be predicted, or forecast without testing thesapogenins of the invention.

According to this invention and varying with the severity of symptomsexperienced by the patient, the active daily dose of sapogenin PAM-120is 0.1 mg-10 g per kg of body weight, or preferably, 1 mg-1 g per kg ofbody weight. The active daily dose of sapogenin PBM-110 is 0.1 mg-10 gper kg of body weight, or preferably, 1 mg-1 g per kg of body weight.The active daily dose of sapogenin PBM-100 is 0.1 mg-10 g per kg of bodyweight, or preferably, 1 mg-1 g per kg of body weight. The active dailydose of sapogenin PAN-20 is 0.1 mg-10 g per kg of body weight, orpreferably, 1 mg-1 g per kg of body weight. The active daily dose ofsapogenin PAN-30 is 0.1 mg-10 g per kg of body weight, or preferably, 1mg-1 g per kg of body weight.

The anti-cancer agent according to this invention contains one or moreof the said novel sapogenins PAM-120, PBM-100, PBM-110, PAN-20 andPAN-30, with or without other anti-cancer agent, used with or withoutone or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers such as solid andliquid excipients.

The administration forms of the said anti-cancer agents according to theinvention are listed as follows:

-   -   Injection forms, including but not limited to intramuscular (IM)        injection, intravenous (IV) injection, subcutaneous injection        and targeted-tissue injection in aqueous solutions, oil        solutions, emulsion, or any forms;    -   Oral forms, including but not limited to tablets, capsules,        granules, pills, suspensions, powders, sprits, emulsifiers, and        syrups; and    -   Topical form, including but not limited to drops, lotions,        enemas, ointments, suspensions, paps, pastes, suppositories,        aerosols, cataplasmas, emulsifiers, liniments, and plasters.

Cancers susceptible to treatment with the compounds of the inventionalone or in combination with a chemotherapeutic in accordance withvarious aspects of the invention may include both primary and metastatictumors and hyperplasias, including carcinomas of breast, colon, rectum,lung, oropharynx, hypopharynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver,gallbladder and bile ducts, small intestine, urinary tract (includingkidney, bladder and urothelium), female genital tract (including cervix,uterus, and ovaries as well as choricarcinoma and gestationaltrophoblastic disease)), male genital tract (including prostate, seminalvesicles, testes and germ cell tumors), endocrine glands (including thethyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands), and skin, as well ashemangiomas, melanomas, sarcomas (including those arising from bone andsoft tissues as well as Kaposi's sarcoma), and tumors of the brain,nerves, eyes, and meninges (including astrocytomas, gliomas,glioblastomas, retinoblastomas, neuromas, neuroblastomas, Schwannomas,and meningiomas). In some aspects of the invention, the compounds of theinvention in combination with a chemotherapeutic may also be useful intreating hematopoietic cancers such as leukemias (i.e. chloromas,plasmacytomas and the plaques and tumors of mycosis fungoides andcutaneous T-cell lymphoma/leukemia) and lymphomas (both Hodgkin's andnon-Hodgkin's lymphomas).

The compounds of the invention and the chemotherapeutic may beadministered in combination separately or as one single combinedpharmaceutical composition. The amount of each component administeredmay be determined by an attending clinician, taking into consideration avariety of factors such as the etiology and severity of the disease, thepatient's condition and age and the potency of each component. thecomponents may be administered in accordance with the standardmethodologies as, for example, disclosed in the Physician's DeskReference (PDR) published by Medical Economics Co. Inc. of Oradell, N.J.

One or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients may beused to formulate pharmaceutical compositions of the invention,including solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial andantifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the likethat are physiologically compatible. In alternative embodiments, thecarrier may be suitable for parenteral, intravenous, intraperitoneal,intramuscular, sublingual or oral administration. Pharmaceuticallyacceptable carriers may include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersionsand sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterileinjectable solutions or dispersion. Except insofar as any conventionalmedia or agent is incompatible with the active compound, use thereof inthe pharmaceutical compositions of the invention is contemplated.Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into thepharmaceutical compositions.

Pharmaceutical compositions typically must be sterile and stable underthe conditions of manufacture and storage. The composition may beformulated as a solution, microemulsion, liposome, or other orderedstructure suitable to high drug concentration. The carrier can be asolvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol,polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethyleneglycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. The properfluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating such aslecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the caseof dispersion and by the use of surfactants. In many cases, it will bepreferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcoholssuch as mannitol, sorbitol, or sodium chloride in the composition.Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought aboutthe including in the composition an agent which delays absorption, forexample, monostearate salts and gelatin. Moreover, the pharmaceuticalcompositions may be administered in a time release formulation, forexample, in a composition which includes a slow release polymer. Theactive compounds can be prepared with carriers that will protect thecompound against rapid release, such as controlled release formulation,including implants and microencapsulated delivery systems.Biodegradable, biocompatible polymers can be used, such as ethylenevinyl acetate, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid, collagen,polyorthoesters, polylactic acid and polylactic, polyglycolic copolymers(PLG). Many methods for the preparation of such formulations arepatented or generally known to those skilled in the art.

Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating an activecompound in the required amount in an appropriate solvent with one or acombination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed byfiltered sterilization. Generally, dispersions are prepared byincorporating the active compound into a sterile vehicle which containsa basic dispersion medium and the required other ingredients from thoseenumerated above. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation ofsterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation arevacuum drying and freeze-drying which yield a powder of the activeingredient plus any additional desired ingredient from a previouslysterile-filtered solution thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions may beformulated with one or more compounds that enhance the solubility of theactive compounds.

This invention also relates to a production process that can be used tocommercially produce sapogenins and ginsenosides. The process can beused to produce the above mentioned dammarane sapogenins throughchemical cleavage and semi-synthesis of dammarane saponins. In additionto the dammarane sapogenins described above, the production process canbe used to commercially produce other sapogenins and ginsenosides. Inone embodiment, the process is used to produce 20(R)-aglyconprotopanaxadiol (20(R)-aPPD or PAM-200R), 20(S)-aglycon protopanaxadiol(20(S)-aPPD or PAM-200S), 20(R)-aglycon protopanaxatriol (20(R)-aPPT orPAM-300R), 20(S)-aglycon protopanaxatriol (20(S)-aPPT or PAM-300S),20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 (PAN-11S), and 20(R)-Ginsenoside Rh2 (PAN-11R).

The chemical formulae, structures and spectral characteristics of theabove listed compounds are shown on the following pages:

1. Sapogenin Aglycon Protopanaxadiol (or PAM-200R/S or R/SaPPD)

-   (1) Common Name: 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol or 20(R)-Protopanaxadiol;-   (2) Structural formula:-   (3) Molecular formula: C₃₀H₅₂O₃-   (4) Molecular weight: 460.74-   (5) The ¹H-NMR spectrum (300 MHz, CDCl₃) has shown signals at δ 1.70    (3H, s), 1.64 (3H, s), 1.20 (3H, s), 0.99 (3H, s), 0.98 (3H, s),    0.89 (3H, s), 0.89 (3H, s), 0.78 (3H, s), 3.20 (1H, dd, J=11.1, 5.4    Hz, H-3), 3.59 (1H, td, J=10.2, 5.4 Hz, H-12) and δ 5.17 (1H, br.t,    J=7.2 Hz, H-24);-   (6) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, CDCl₃) has shown signals at δ    38.98 (C-1), 28.04 (C-2), 78.90 (C-3), 38.98 (C-4), 55.90 (C-5),    18.30 (C-6), 34.42 (C-7), 39.78 (C-8), 50.10 (C-9), 37.14 (C-10),    31.23 (C-11), 70.99 (C-12), 47.92 (C-13), 51.64 (C-14), 30.98    (C-15), 26.51 (C-16), 53.45 (C-17), 16.88 (C-18), 15.73 (C-19),    74.60 (C-20), 27.11 (C-21), 34.81 (C-22), 22.38 (C-23), 124.89    (C-24), 131.96 (C-25), 25.73 (C-26), 15.34 (C-27), 28.20 (C-28),    16.13 (C-29) and δ 17.74 (C-30).    2. Aglycon Protopanaxatriol-(or PBM-300R/S or R/SaPPT)-   (1) Common Name: 20(S)-Protopanaxatriol or 20(R)-Protopanaxatriol;-   (2) Structural formula:-   (3) Molecular formula: C₃₀H₅₂O₄-   (4) Molecular weight: 476.74-   (5) The ¹H-NMR spectrum (300 MHz, CDCl₃) has shown signals at δ 1.69    (3H, s), 1.63 (3H, s), 1.31 (3H, s), 1.19 (3H, s), 1.01 (3H, s),    0.98 (3H, s), 0.93 (3H, s), 0.91 (3H, s), 3.17 (1H, dd, J=11.1, 5.4    Hz, H-3), 4.10 (1H, td, J=10.2, 4.2 Hz, H-6), 3.58 (1H, td, J=10.2,    5.4 Hz, H-12) and δ 5.15 (1H, br.t, J=6.9 Hz, H-24);    -   (7) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, CDCl₃) has shown signals at        δ 39.15 (C-1), 26.98 (C-2), 78.56 (C-3), 39.28 (C-4), 61.13        (C-5), 68.60 (C-6), 46.96 (C-7), 40.96 (C-8), 49.54 (C-9), 38.82        (C-10), 31.05 (C-11), 70.66 (C-12), 47.44 (C-13), 51.39 (C-14),        30.96 (C-15), 26.44 (C-16), 53.44 (C-17), 17.24 (C-18), 16.85        (C-19), 74.39 (C-20), 26.98 (C-21), 34.45 (C-22), 22.33 (C-23),        124.89 (C-24), 131.83 (C-25), 25.73 (C-26), 15.51 (C-27), 30.91        (C-28), 17.16 (C-29) and δ17.74 (C-30).        3. PAN-11S (or 20(S)-Rh2)-   (1) Common Name: 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-dammar-24-en-3 β,12    β,20(S)-triol-   (2) Structural Formula:-   (3) Molecular formula: C₃₆H₆₂O₈-   (4) Molecular weight: 622.88-   (5) The ¹H-NMR spectrum (300 MHz, C5D5N) has shown signals at δ4.93    (1H, d, J=7.0 Hz), 5.30 (1H, br. t), 1.64 (3H, s), 1.62 (3H, s),    1.42 (3H, s), 1.31 (3H, s), 0.99 (3H, s), 0.96 (3H, s), 0.96 (3H, s)    and δ0.79 (3H, s);-   (6) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at δ    39.22 (C-1), 27.15 (C-2), 88.84 (C-3), 40.09 (C-4), 56.46 (C-5),    18.54 (C-6), 35.25 (C-7), 37.04 (C-8), 50.47 (C-9), 39.75 (C-10),    32.13 (C-11), 71.05 (C-12), 48.63 (C-13), 51.78 (C-14), 31.43    (C-15), 26.78 (C-16), 54.85 (C-17), 17.42 (C-18), 16.44 (C-19),    73.03 (C-20), 26.80 (C-21), 35.94 (C-22), 23.06 (C-23), 126.13    (C-24), 130.81 (C-25), 25.90 (C-26), 15.98 (C-27), 28.23 (C-28),    16.87 (C-29), 17.77 (C-30). The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C₅D₅N)    for 3-glucopyranosyl has shown signals at 107.00 (C-1′), 75.82    (C-2′), 78.79 (C-3′), 71.93 (C-4′), 78.38 (C-5′) and δ63.14 (C-6′).    4. PAN-11R (or 20(R)-Rh2)-   (1) Common Name: 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-dammar-24-en-3 β,12    1,20(R)-triol-   (2) Structural Formula:-   (3) Molecular formula: C₃₆H₆₂O₈-   (4) Molecular weight: 622.88-   (5) The ¹H-NMR spectrum (300 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at δ1.70    (3H, s), 1.64 (3H, s), 1.42 (3H, s), 1.35 (3H, s), 0.99 (3H, s),    0.96 (3H, s), 0.96 (3H, s), 0.82 (3H, s), 4.93 (1H, d, J=7.0 Hz),    5.30 (1H, br. t).-   (6) The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C₅D₅N) has shown signals at    δ39.22 (C-1), 27.15 (C-2), 88.84 (C-3), 40.09 (C-4), 56.46 (C-5),    18.54 (C-6), 35.25 (C-7), 37.04 (C-8), 50.47 (C-9), 39.75 (C-10),    32.24 (C-11), 71.05 (C-12), 49.28 (C-13), 51.78 (C-14), 31.48    (C-15), 26.78 (C-16), 50.70 (C-17), 17.42 (C-18), 16.44 (C-19),    73.03 (C-20), 22.68 (C-21), 43.33 (C-22), 22.84 (C-23), 126.38    (C-24), 130.81 (C-25), 25.90 (C-26), 15.98 (C-27), 28.23 (C-28),    17.12 (C-29), 17.77 (C-30). The ¹³C-NMR spectrum (75.4 MHz, C₅D₅N)    for 3-glucopyranosyl has shown signals at 107.00 (C-1′), 75.82    (C-2′), 78.79 (C-3′), 71.93 (C-4′), 78.38 (C-5′) and 63.14 (C-6′).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of two alternative processes of the inventionwhich can be utilized to produce sapogenins and ginsenosides. Theproduction process according to the invention uses general ginsenosides(also called dammarane saponins including Ra, Rc, Rd, Re, etc.)extracted from plants selected from the ginseng family such as panaxginseng, quinguefol and panax notoginseng as raw materials. However, anyother suitable plant that is a source of sapogenins or ginsenosides canbe used. In the process according to this invention, generalginsenosides are first mixed with water and then with short-chain (1-5carbon) alkali-metal alcoholate solution or hydroxide-ethanol solution.The mixture is then put into a reaction tank to undergo chemicalreactions under high temperature and high pressure effective forproducing sapogenins or ginsenosides. Alternatively, generalginsenosides are first mixed with ethanol, and then with alkali-metalalcoholates solution. The mixture is thereafter put into a reaction tankto undergo chemical reactions under high temperature and high pressureeffective for producing sapogenins and ginsenosides. After the reactionis complete, the intermediate product of a mix of ginsenosides orsapogenins are collected from the ethanol solution. The next step is toseparate the desired dammarane sapogenins or ginsenosides from theintermediate saponin-sapogenin mix by using silica-gel-columnchromatography.

According to this invention, the said alkali metal can be potassium orsodium, the hydroxide can be sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide,the concentration of alkali-metal alcoholates solution or theconcentration of hydroxide-ethanol solution can be 5˜50% (W/V), and theshort chain alcohol can be one with 1˜5 carbon atoms. In this invention,during the production process, the reaction tank's temperature can bebetween 150˜300° C. and the reaction pressure is between 2.5˜8.4 MPa. Insome embodiments of the invention, the temperature is between 240-300°C. and the pressure is between 3.5-8.4 MPa. In a specific embodiment ofthe invention, the temperature of the reaction tank is 270° C. and thereaction pressure is 4.5 MPa. In another embodiment of the invention,the reaction tank temperature is 240° C. and the reaction pressure is3.5 MPa.

EXAMPLES Examples of Preparation Processes Example 1 Preparation Processof Producing PAM-120, PBM-100, and PAN-20

-   [1] Ginseng crude extract 10 g was dissolved in 40 mL of 95% ethanol-   [2] Add 40 mL of 5 N NaOH-   [3] Pour into the reaction tank, and set temperature to 240° C., and    pressure to 3.5 Mpa, for 1.5 hours-   [4] Reduce temperature to room temperature, and take the products    out the tank-   [5] Add HCl to neutralize pH to about 7, and expend the volume to    800 mL using water-   [6] Extract 3 times with acetic ester, 100 mL each time-   [7] Combine all the extracts, and reduce the pressure to dry. Thus,    obtain 3.8 g of dried extracts-   [8] Grind and dissolved the extract in 20 mL of methanol, and mix    the methanol solution with silica gel-   [9] Dry up the mixture, and then grind to fine powder-   [10] Load the Silica gel column-   [11] Wash the column with 60 mL of ether:petroleum benzin (1:3), and    thus, 250 mg of PAM-120, and 45 mg of PBM-100 were obtained-   [12] Wash the column with 90 mL of chloroform:methanol (95:5), and    thus 50 mg of PAN-20 was obtained.

Example 2 Another Example of Preparation Process Producing PAM-120,PBM-100, and PAN-20

-   [1] 10 g of Ginseng crude extract was added into reaction tank-   [2] Add to the reaction tank 100 mL of 5 N NaOH-   [3] Set temperature to 270° C. and pressure to 4.5 Mpa for 1 hour-   [4] Reduce temperature to room temperature, then take out the    products-   [5] Neutralize the pH to 7 using HCl-   [6] Filter and keep the solids-   [7] Dissolve the solids in 10 mL of 95% Ethanol-   [8] Add water to make ethanol content less than 5%-   [9] Sit still overnight-   [10] Filter and keep the solids-   [11] Dry the solids-   [12] Dissolved the solids in 10 mL of methanol-   [13] Filter and keep the solution-   [14] Dry the solution to obtain 3.6 g of products-   [15] Mix the products with 11 g of silica gel-   [16] Grind and then load the silica gel column-   [17] Wash the column with 100 mL of ether:petroleum benzin (1:3),    and thus, 60 mg of PAM-120, and 65 mg of PBM-100 were obtained-   [18] Wash the column with chloroform:methanol (95:5), and thus 60 mg    of PAN-20 was obtained.

Example 3 Preparation Process of Producing 20(S)/20(R) Protopanaxadiol,20(S)/20(R) Protopanaxatriol and 20(S)/20(R) Ginsenoside Rh2

-   [1] Ginseng crude extract 10 g was dissolved in 40 mL 95% ethanol-   [2] Add 40 mL 5 N NaOH-   [3] Pour into the reaction tank, and set temperature to 240° C., and    pressure to 3.5 Mpa, for 1.5 hours-   [4] Reduce temperature to room temperature, and take the products    out-    the tank-   [5] Add HCl to neutralize pH to about 7, and expand the volume to    800 mL using water-   [6] Extract 3 times with Ethyl acetic(EtoAc), 100 mL each time-   [7] Combine all the extracts, and reduce the pressure to dry. Thus,    obtain 3.8 g of dried extracts-   [8] Grind and dissolved the extract in 20 mL of methanol, and mix    the methanol solution with silica gel-   [9] Dry up the mixture, and then grind to fine powder-   [10] The powder was subjected to Silica gel column chromatography-   [11] Eluted with 60 mL of petroleum ether:EtOAc mixture (50:1 ratio)    to yield 20(S)/20(R) Protopanaxadiol (2.1 g, 55%); eluted with    petroleum ether:EtOAc mixture (40:1 ratio) to yield 20(S)/20(R)    Protopanaxatriol (0.30g, 7.8%); eluted with CHCl₃:CH₃OH mixture    (40:1 ratio) to yield 20(S)/20(R) Ginsenoside Rh2 (0.45, 11.8%).

Example 4 Another Example of Preparation Process Producing 20 (S)/20(R)Protopanaxadiol, 20(S)/20(R) Protopanaxatriol and 20(S)/20(R)Ginsenoside Rh2

-   [1] 10 g of Ginseng crude extract was added into reaction tank-   [2] Add to the reaction tank 100 mL of 5 N NaOH-   [3] Set temperature to 270° C. and pressure to 4.5 Mpa for 1 hour-   [4] Reduce temperature to room temperature, then take out the    products-   [5] Neutralize the pH to 7 using HCl-   [6] Filter and keep the solids-   [7] Dissolve the solids in 10 mL of 95% Ethanol-   [8] Add water to make ethanol content less than 5%-   [9] Sit still overnight-   [10] Filter and keep the solids-   [11] Dry the solids-   [12] Dissolved the solids in 10 mL of methanol-   [13] Filter and keep the solution-   [14] Dry the solution to obtain 3.6 g of products-   [15] Mix the products with 11 g of silica gel-   [16] Grind and then load the silica gel column-   [17] Eluted with 60 mL of petroleum ether:EtOAc mixture (50:1 ratio)    to yield 20(S)/20(R) Protopanaxadiol (2.1 g, 58%); eluted with    petroleum ether:EtOAc mixture (40:1 ratio) to obtain 20(S)/20(R)    Protopanaxatriol (0.28 g, 7%); eluted with CHCl₃:CH₃OH mixture (40:1    ratio) to obtain 20(S)/20(R) Ginsenoside Rh2 (0.40, 11%).

Example 5 Comparison of Cancer Cell Inhibition Effects In Vitro BetweenGinsenoside 20(S)-Rh2 and Novel Dammarane Sapogenins PAM-120, PBM-100,PAN-30 and their Composition

A. Method

Composition: 20(S)-Rh2 was provided by Shenyang Pegasus PharmaceuticalR&D Co., China, with a purity of over 98%. The molecular weight for Rh2was 622.3. Sapogenins PAM-120, PBM-100 and PAN-30 were derived from theprocess stated in Example 1. The molecular weights of PAM-120, PBM-100and PAN-30 were respectively 442.7, 474.7 and 766.6, and the purity foreach of the three agents was higher than 99%. Rh2, PAM-120, PBM-100 andPAN-30 were dissolved 1 gram each separately in 100 mL absolute ethanoland stored at 4° C. the agents were diluted with RPMI-1640 medium to thedesired concentrations as shown in Table 1.

Cells: Human non-small-cell lung carcinoma H460 cells were incubated inRPMI-1640 medium added with 10% fetal calf serum, 100 unitspenicillin/ml, and 100 μg streptomycin/ml in 5% CO₂ at 37° C.

In vitro treatment: H460 cells were seeded in 96-well flat-bottomedmicrotest-plates at 1.2×10³ cells per well, six wells in each group,incubated in humidified 5% CO₂ at 37° C. for 24 hours with or withoutthe agents according to the schedule as shown below. TABLE 1 DOSAGEGroup Dosage (μg/ml) Control No drug — Low-dose Rh2 25 PAM-120 PBM-100PAN-30 High-dose Rh2 40 PAM-120 PBM-100 PAN-30

After the 24 hours of incubation, an equal volume of 10% formalinphosphate-buffered saline containing 0.2% crystal violet was added toeach well and left at room temperature for 20 minutes. The plates werethen washed twice with distilled water and dried at room temperature.The absorbency of the stained cells at 590 nm was then measured using anautomatic microtest-plate reader. Average absorbency of the controlwells (A_(c)) without any treatment was calculated, average absorbencyof each treatment group (A_(Ti)) was determined, and then the averagecell viability of each treatment group (V_(i)) was derived using thefollowing formula:${V_{i}(\%)} = {\frac{A_{Ti}}{A_{c}} \times 100\quad\%}$

B. Result TABLE 2 CANCER CELL VIABILITY (%) Absorbency of tTest StainedCells w/ tTest w/ Group (M ± SD) V (%) Control Rh2 Control No drugs .368± .069 100 Low- Rh2 .278 ± .030 78.49 P < 0.01 dose PAM- .220 ± .05162.08 P < 0.01 P < 0.05 (25 μg/ml) 120 PBM- .223 ± .040 62.72 P < 0.01 P< 0.05 100 PAN-30 .249 ± .045 70.3 P < 0.01 High- Rh2 .181 ± .049 50.99P < 0.01 dose PAM- .125 ± .031 35.34 P < 0.01 P < 0.05 (40 μg/ml) 120PBM- .130 ± .019 36.51 P < 0.01 P < 0.05 100 PAN-30 .147 ± .032 41.49 P< 0.01

The results in Table 2 show a significant inhibitory effect onproliferation of H460 cells by each of the novel compounds PAM-120,PBM-100 and PAN-30 (P<0.01 compared with that of the Rh2 control), and anotable increase in inhibitory effect of PAM-120 and PBM-100 on theproliferation of H460 cells (P<0.05 compared with that of Rh2).

Example 6 Tumor Weight Test

A. Method

Forty (40) C57BL/6J mice weighing 18-22 g were randomly divided intofour groups: one control group and three treatment groups, each with 10animals. Mouse sarcoma 180 cells were hyperdermically transplanted intothe mice by using a transplantation needle under the right armpit. Afterthe transplantation, all mice formed a tumor. The mix composition ofginsenosides and sapogenins including the three novel dammaranesapogenins (PAM-120, PBM-100 and PAN-30), derived as an intermediateproduct from the process described in Example 2, was prepared into asuspension form. The mice were weighed daily prior to drugadministration to determine the actual measurement of drug administered.The drug administration started from 24 hours post tumortransplantation. The mice in the three treatment groups were orallygiven the mix composition at a daily dose of 0.4 mg/kg, 1.2 mg/kg and3.6 mg/kg respectively for 8 days using a gastric catheter. The mice inthe control group were orally given a normal saline placebo. 24 hoursafter the last administration of the drug, the mice were sacrificed withan overdose of anesthetics. The weight of the sarcoma in each mouse wasmeasured. The average tumor weight of each treatment group (Wt_(i)) andthat of the control group (Wc) were calculated, and the tumor inhibitionratio (R_(i)) of each treatment group was determined with the followingformula:${R_{i}(\%)} = {\frac{{Wc} - {Wt}_{i}}{W_{c}} \times 100\quad\%}$

B. Result TABLE 3 TUMOR WEIGHT RATIO (%) GROUP MICE# Tumor Weight (g) (M∓ SD) R(%) P Control 10 2.995 ∓ 0.621 Mix 0.4 mg/kg 10 1.269 ∓ 0.52557.63 <0.01 Mix 1.2 mg/kg 10 0.725 ∓ 0.270 75.79 <0.01 Mix 3.6 mg/kg 100.388 ∓ 0.130 87.04 <0.01

The results in Table 3 have demonstrated that oral administration of thesubject mix composition, the intermediate product from Example 2,achieves tumor inhibition ratios of 58%, 76% and 87% respectively at thedoses of 0.4 mg/kg, 1.2 mg/kg and 3.6 mg/kg, showing a dose relatedanti-cancer efficacy of the mix of the intermediate product of Example 2containing the three novel sapogenins PAM-120, PBM-100 and PAN-30 andsome other saponins and sapogenins whose structures are known orunknown.

Example 7 Cancer Bearing Mice Life Prolongation Test

A. Method

Fifty (50) C57BL/6J mice weighing 18-22 g, without sex discrimination,were randomly assigned to one control group and four treatment groups,each with 10 animals. Murine sarcoma 180 cells were intraperitoneallytransplanted to the mice. 20(S)-Rh2 was provided by Shenyang PegasusPharmaceutical R&D Co., China, with a purity of over 98%. The molecularweight for Rh2 was 622.3. The novel sapogenin PAM-120 was derived fromthe process described in Example 2 according to this invention. Themolecular weight of PAM-120 was 442.7, and the purity for PAM-120 washigher than 99%. The drugs were prepared into a suspension formrespectively. The mice were weighed daily prior to drug administrationto determine the actual measurement of drug administered. Drugadministration started from 24 hours post tumor inoculation. The mice inthe two low-dose treatment groups were orally given the Rh2 and PAM-120preparations using a gastric catheter at a daily dose of 10 mg/kg of Rh2and 10 mg/kg of PAM-120 respectively for a lifetime or up to 120 days.The mice in the two high-dose treatment groups were orally given the Rh2and PAM-120 preparations using a gastric catheter at a daily dose of 25mg/kg of Rh2 and 25 mg/kg of PAM-120 respectively for a lifetime or upto 120 days. The mice in the control group were orally given a normalsaline. For each group, the days of survival for 50% animals (DS₅₀) andthe average days of survival (ADS) were recorded. For groups containingone or more animals that could have lived longer than 120 days (thedesigned sacrifice day was d 120), the ADS would be so calculated thatthese animals were counted as if they had died on day 120, and a notewould be made. The life prolongation rate (LPR) was calculated with thefollowing formula:${{LPR}\quad(\%)} = {\frac{{ADS}_{({treatment})} - {ADS}_{({control})}}{{ADS}_{({control})}} \times 100\quad\%}$

B. Result TABLE 4 MURINE SARCOMA 180 BEARING MICE LIFE PROLONGATION RATE% Group DS₅₀ ADS(M ∓ SD) LPR(%) Control 14 14.7 ∓ 5.4  Rh2 (10 mg/kg) 2224.7 ∓ 12.6 68.0 PAM-120 (10 mg/kg) 38 38.6 ∓ 16.4 162.6 Rh2 (25 mg/kg)41 44.3 ∓ 19.6 201.4 PAM-120 (25 mg/kg) 77 80.6 ∓ 34.4 448.3

The anti-cancer effect of the novel sapogenin PAM-120 was indicated bythe significant increase in life prolongation of the mice bearing murinesarcoma (P<0.01 compared with the average days of survival in thecontrol). Better anti-cancer effect of novel sapogenin PAM-120 on murinesarcoma than that of Rh2 was demonstrated by the significant increase inlife prolongation of the sarcoma-bearing mice (P<0.01, compared with theaverage days of survival in the relevant Rh2 treatment dose groups). Twomice in the 25 mg/kg composition treatment group survived for the whole120 days, and were found to have no tumors whatsoever existing in theirbodies postmortally.

FIG. 1 illustrates a graph of tumor inhibiting effect of variousginsenosides on B16 cells. Mouse melanoma tumor B16 cells were culturedwith DMEM and 5% serum supplement in 96-well dishes. Cells were thentreated with various concentrations of PAN-20, PAN-30, PBM-100, PBM-110,PAM-120 and Rh2, respectively. The number of alive cells were measuredusing MTT method 24 hours after the treatment and compared with thecontrol samples. All the new compounds showed a significantly highertumor inhibitory effect than RH2, especially at low concentrations(p<0.01, Student t test).

FIG. 2 illustrates a graph of tumor inhibiting effect of variousginsenosides on drug resistant human breast cancer cells MCF7r. Humandrug resistant breast cancer cells (MCF7r) were cultured with DMEM and5% serum supplement in 96-well dishes. Cells were then treated withvarious concentrations of PAN-20, PAN-30, PBM-100, PBM-110, PBM-120, andRh2, respectively. The number of alive cells were measured using MTTmethod 24 hours after the treatment and compared with the controlsamples. All new compounds showed a significantly higher tumorinhibitory effect than Rh2, especially at low concentrations (p<0.01,Student t test)

FIG. 3 illustrates a plot of the synergistic effect of PAM-120 withCisplatin on drug resistant human breast cancer cells MCF7r. MCF7r cellswere treated with anti-cancer chemotherapy agent Cisplatin at variousconcentrations in the presence of 10 ug/ml PAM-120. In FIG. 3, the firstbars in each concentration group represent percentages of alive cells 24hours after treatment with Cisplatin only. The second bars in each grouprepresent the results of cells treated with Cisplatin and PAM-120.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of the synergistic effect of PAM-120 withTaxol on drug resistant human breast cancer cells MCF7r. MCF7r cellswere treated with anti-cancer chemotherapy agent Taxol at variousconcentrations in the presence of 10 ug/ml PAM-120 or 20 ug/ml RH2. InFIG. 4, the first bars in each concentration group represent percentagesof alive cells 24 hours after treatment with Taxol only. The second barsin each group represent the results of cells treated with Taxol andPAM-120, while the third bars represent the results of cells treatedwith 20 ug/ml Rh2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a graph of the therapeutic effect of PAM-120 on mouseintracranial human malignant glioma (U87) model. Nude mice wereintracranially implanted with human malignant glioma cells (U87). On day10 post tumor implantation, animals were treated with various dosages ofPAM-120. Animals treated with 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg PAM-120 hadsignificantly longer survival time after tumor implantation (p<0.01,Kaplan Meier analysis).

FIG. 6 illustrates a graph of the therapeutic effect of PAM-120 on mousesubcutaneous human malignant glioma (U87) model. Nude mice weresubcutaneously implanted with human malignant glioma cells (U87). On day7 post tumor implantation, animals were treated with 25 mg/ml PAM-120 orequal dose of Rh2. Tumor sizes were measured on day 7 (before treatment)and day 24 (after the treatment). Both PAM-120 and Rh2 significantlyinhibited tumor growth comparing to PBS control animals. Tumor sizes inPAM-120 treated animals were significantly smaller than those in the Rh2treated animals (p<0.05).

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of two processes which can be used toobtain the sapogenins according to the invention.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of theforegoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible inthe practice of this invention without departing from the spirit orscope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to beconstrued in accordance with the substance defined by the followingclaims.

CITED REFERENCES

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1. A process of preparing sapogenins or ginsenosides, which comprisesproducing a ginsenoside extract from plants selected from the groupconsisting of panax ginseng, panax quinguefol and panax notoginseng, orfrom any other suitable plant which is a source of sapogenins orginsenosides, and proceeding according to the following steps: (a) (i)mixing the ginsenoside extract with water; (ii) mixing the ginsenosideextract and water with an alkali-metal alcoholates solution or ahydroxide-ethanol solution to produce a mixture; or alternatively, (b)(i) mixing the ginsenosides extract with ethanol; (ii) mixing theextract and ethanol with alkali-metal alcoholates solution to produce amixture; (c) placing the resultant mixture in a reaction tank so thatthe resultant mixture can undergo chemical reactions under hightemperature and high pressure effective to produce sapogenins orginsenosides therefrom; (d) after the reaction is completed, collectingan intermediate product of a mix of ginsenosides or sapogenins from themixture; and (e) separating the desired ginsenosides or sapogenins fromthe intermediate product by silica-gel-column chromatography.
 2. Theprocess as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chemical reactions in thereaction tank occur at a temperature range of 150-300° C. and a pressurerange of 2.5˜8.4 MPa.
 3. The process as claimed in claim 2 wherein thechemical reactions in the reaction tank occur at a temperature range of240-270° C. and a pressure range of 3.54.5 MPa.
 4. The process asclaimed in claim 3 wherein the chemical reactions in the reaction tankoccur at a temperature of 240° C. and a pressure of 3.5 MPa
 5. Theprocess as claimed in claim 3 wherein the chemical reactions in thereaction tank occur at a temperature of 270° C. and a pressure of 4.5MPa.
 6. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the alkali metal ispotassium or sodium.
 7. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein thehydroxide is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
 8. A process asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the concentration of the alkali-metalalcoholates solution or the hydroxide-ethanol solution is 5˜50% (W/V).9. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the alkali-metal alcoholatehas 1˜5 carbon atoms.
 10. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein thesapogenins and ginsenosides are selected from the group consisting ofPAM-120, PBM-100, PBM-100, PAN-20, PAN-30, 20(R)-aPPD, 20(S)-aPPD,20(R)-aPPT, 20(S)-aPPT, 20(R)-Rh2, and 20(S)-Rh2.
 11. A process ofpreparing sapogenins or ginsenosides, which comprises producing aginsenoside extract from plants selected from the group consisting ofpanax ginseng, panax quinguefol and panax notoginseng, or from any othersuitable plant which is a source of sapogenins or ginsenosides, andproceeding according to the following steps: (a) (i) mixing theginsenoside extract with water; (ii) mixing the ginsenoside extract andwater with an alkali-metal alcoholates solution or a hydroxide-ethanolsolution to produce a mixture; or alternatively, (b) (i) mixing theginsenosides extract with ethanol; (ii) mixing the extract and ethanolwith alkali-metal alcoholates solution to produce a mixture; (c) placingthe resultant mixture in a reaction tank so that the resultant mixturecan undergo chemical reactions under high temperature and high pressureeffective to produce sapogenins or ginsenosides therefrom; (d) after thereaction is completed, collecting an intermediate product of a mix ofginsenosides or sapogenins from the ethanol mixture; and (e) separatingthe desired sapogenins or ginsenosides from the intermediate product bysilica-gel-column chromatography; wherein, the chemical reactions in thereaction tank occur in a temperature range of 150˜300° C. and in apressure range of 2.5˜8.4 MPa.
 12. The process as claimed in claim 11,wherein the chemical reactions in the reaction tank occur at atemperature range of 240-270° C. and a pressure range of 3.5-4.5 MPa.13. The process as claimed in claim 11, wherein the chemical reactionsin the reaction tank occur at a temperature of 240° C. and a pressure of3.5 MPa.
 14. The process as claimed in claim 11, wherein the chemicalreactions in the reaction tank occur at a temperature of 270° C. and apressure of 4.5 MPa.
 15. A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein thealkali metal is potassium or sodium.
 16. A process as claimed in claim11 wherein the hydroxide is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. 17.A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein the concentration of thealkali-metal alcoholates solution or the hydroxide-ethanol solution is5˜50% (W/V).
 18. A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein thealkali-metal alcoholate has 1˜5 carbon atoms.
 19. A process as claimedin claim 11 wherein the sapogenins and ginsenosides are selected fromthe group consisting of PAM-120, PBM-100, PBM-100, PAN-20, PAN-30,20(R)-aPPD, 20(S)-aPPD, 20(R)-aPPT, 20(S)-aPPT, 20(R)-Rh2, and20(S)-Rh2.
 20. A process of preparing sapogenins or ginsenosidesselected from the group consisting of PAM-120, PBM-100, PBM-100, PAN-20,PAN-30, 20(R)-aPPD, 20(S)-aPPD, 20(R)-aPPT, 20(S)-aPPT, 20(R)-Rh2, and20(S)-Rh2, which comprises producing a ginsenoside extract from plantsselected from the group consisting of panax ginseng, panax quinguefoland panax notoginseng, or from any other suitable plant which is asource of sapogenins or ginsenosides, and proceeding according to thefollowing steps: (a) (i) mixing the ginsenoside extract with water; (ii)mixing the ginsenoside extract and water with an alkali-metalalcoholates solution or a hydroxide-ethanol solution to produce amixture; or alternatively, (b) (i) mixing the ginsenosides extract withethanol; (ii) mixing the extract and ethanol with alkali-metalalcoholates solution to produce a mixture; (c) placing the resultantmixture in a reaction tank so that the resultant mixture can undergochemical reactions under high temperature and high pressure effective toproduce sapogenins or ginsenosides therefrom; (d) after the reaction iscompleted, collecting an intermediate product of a mix of ginsenosidesor sapogenins from the ethanol mixture; and (e) separating the desiredsapogenins or ginsenosides from the intermediate product bysilica-gel-column chromatography; wherein, the chemical reactions in thereaction tank occur in a temperature range of 150˜300° C. and in apressure range of 2.5˜8.4 MPa.
 21. The process as claimed in claim 20,wherein the chemical reactions in the reaction tank occur at atemperature range of 240-270° C. and a pressure range of 3.5-4.5 MPa.22. The process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the chemical reactionsin the reaction tank occur at a temperature of 240° C. and a pressure of3.5 MPa.
 23. The process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the chemicalreactions in the reaction tank occur at a temperature of 270° C. and apressure of 4.5 MPa.
 24. A process as claimed in claim 20 wherein thealkali metal is potassium or sodium.
 25. A process as claimed in claim20 wherein the hydroxide is sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. 26.A process as claimed in claim 20 wherein the concentration of thealkali-metal alcoholates solution or the hydroxide-ethanol solution is5˜50% (W/V).
 27. A process as claimed in claim 20 wherein thealkali-metal alcoholate has 1˜5 carbon atoms.